I watched my little lemon chisel away at the crystal, wondering what noises and expressions I could get if I kept her, before shaking my head, turning my thoughts to Astrid.
While I certainly wouldn't mind another taste of Sigrid, I was also curious about Astrid, wondering what she would look and feel like in my arms.
"Are you thinking about sex right now?"
Hearing the exasperated tone of Anakitty as she sat next to me, I chuckled before saying "Yup."
She sighed, before saying in a low voice "Does... does it feel that good?"
I looked at her with a smile, saying "I wouldn't know anything about being penetrated, so you'll need to figure that out. However, if you want to experience the touch of a woman, just let me know~"
Anakitty glared at me, her cheeks crimson before she looked at Raul. Pulling out a canteen, she took a drink before...
"Though I can say that orgasms are quite heavenly."
She spat her water onto the ground, her eyes wide as she coughed.
Laughing, I turned my gaze back to Sigrid, before noticing the crystal was gone.
"Well, let's move."
Anakitty walked beside me, glaring at me the entire time. However, whenever I looked at her she blushed, so I found it to be a good way to pass the time.
As we explored the floor, we encountered a few more Lizardmen, who were the common monsters on these floors.
Additionally, we found a cluster of herbs, as well as a large rock that made the supporters from the Dian Cecht Familia ecstatic.
Apparently it enhanced the effects of their potions, and it was a recipe they had developed themselves, meaning the Miach Familia couldn't benefit from it.
I watched as Sigrid pouted at that, chuckling in amusement before continuing on.
The expedition came to a conclusion when we found a gigantic herb, surrounded by a few ores.
Of course, such a treasure trove was well guarded, as a half dozen Mad Beetles and a Bugbear idled around the large herb.
The Mad Beetles looked like... well, large beetles. However, instead of the normal bronze or black carapace that the beetles in Orario had, these ones had crimson shells, earning them the name Mad Beetles, since they looked and acted angry. (AN: Honestly, just think Heracross from Pokemon)
As for the Bugbear, it was neither a bug or a bear. Instead, it was just a large, furrier Troll. Holding a large club in its hands, it looked around the area in disinterest.
"So, I think if the Loki Familia members with bows focus the Bugbear, while the rest of us deal with the Beetles, we should be fine."
Hearing my suggestion, Anakitty narrowed her eyes as she looked around the clearing, before nodding.
As she went back to inform the Loki Familia of the plan, I activated Warrior's Ichor as I prepared my xiphos.
Anakitty moved beside me, saying "So you have magic... lucky..."
I chuckled, before asking "So, we ready?"
She nodded, and with a quick shout we charged towards the Beetles.
They looked at us in surprise, before chittering at one another. Lowering their horns, they rushed towards us with speed, while the Bugbear roared out.
However, I watched with a smile as a rain of arrows flew done on the Bugbear, growling in annoyance as it tried to cover itself with its arms.
As the Beetles drew closer, I looked at the one opposite of me, raising my blade and stabbing forwards, grinning as my xiphos dug into the small chink of its carapace near its arms.
Digging the blade deeper, I listened to its panicked chittering before withdrawing the blade, scorning a deep gash on its belly.
Lowering its head, it stabbed its horn forwards. Swaying, I brought my blade up and watched as I put a large chip in the horn, making the Beetle back away.
I gave no quarter, as I stepped forwards and quickly slashed my blade cleanly through each limb, before stabbing the xiphos into its eye.
Hearing it stop chittering, I looked around and smiled when I saw the Loki Familia had killed the remaining five Beetles, using their numbers and coordination to put them down.
Of course, it helped that Anakitty had solo'd one as well, leaving four Beetles for the almost dozen members.
Turning my gaze to the Bugbear, I chuckled when I saw it littered with arrows, before slumping to the ground.
I moved forwards, slashing my blade across its neck and watching as it dissipated.
The Loki Familia gave a small cheer, before making way for the support members.
We watched on as they filled their packs, some having to stuff their packs to the brim and allow some of the herbs to spill out so they could carry everything.
"Was this supposed to be this easy?"
Hearing my question, Anakitty shrugged.
"It was in the hands of the Gods. The resources are more abundant on these floors due to the floor literally being a large forest, but like most things in the Dungeon nothing is guaranteed. We just got incredibly lucky. Besides, shouldn't you be happy? Making such a large amount doing very little..."
I nodded at that.
So, I watched in slight boredom as the supporters gathered the resources, before we started making our way back to the surface.
Since we were a returning party, Dungeon didn't bother sending anteing our way, so after a few hours we reached the surface.
I spent the journey talking with Sigrid, listening to her stories and enjoying the walk through the Dungeon.
When we reached the basement of Babel Anakitty led us towards the Guild Hall, where we would drop off the resources, cores, and any items we wished to sell. Then we would get paid.
I watched in interest as the Guild employee's handled the items, before calculating everyones pay and giving everyone banknotes, telling us to head to the bank ran by Caishen Familia, who were among some of the most brilliant business people Orario had ever seen.
If you liked a chain store, likely Caishen funded it, asking for a percentage of the earnings in exchange for promoting and funding the business.
Apparently a few blacksmiths and alchemists signed contracts with him, asking for a loan which would be paid back in their respective profession.
That was how the Caishen Familia armed their Adventurers, as well as how they had a large amount of money.
Since they partnered with the Guild, they accepted the idea of allowing the Guild to use their money to pay people in large amounts, giving the Familia lower taxes and other incentives to do so.
I looked down at the banknote with a grin.
665,000 Valis...
The base pay for the expedition was 350,000, and when I added on my cores, the Goliath core, and the extra pay for the rare Cyclonic Crystals we found...
Well, I was now quite rich, and planned on being broke again after I got myself a new spear...
The grin faded quickly with that thought, before I smiled.
Money is nice, but the Spear is an investment to make all that back, then some more.
Before I left, I pulled Sigrid to the side, away from the crowd.
She looked up at me, her eyes slightly watery as she pursed her lips.
I chuckled at her, wrapping her in a hug before pulling away.
"It was fun Sigrid, but..."
She just shook her head, looking down at the floor.
"Don't... don't say anything... please..."
Hearing her shaking voice made my heart clench slightly, but I would rather let her know that I wasn't going to go further with her than lead her on.
So, after sighing, I just placed my hand on her shoulder, muttering "Goodbye, and I hope the God's bless you."
I walked away, refusing to look back. I knew what I would see, and it wasn't the time I wanted to see her tears...
---
So, I wanted to finish the expedition up quickly, which is why I didn't go deeper. I just... lost motivation to continue with it, especially when I had a few ideas on what to do next.
As for Sigrid... well, considering I have Astrid as of now, and maybe some others in the future, I wanted this to be a 'clean' separation. I dislike the idea of Nikoletta keeping Sigrid around simply to leave her later, and since I am planning on this not being a Harem, that means that she just... had to go. Will we see her again? Maybe, but not as a lover.
Anyways, I hope you enjoyed!
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